Hi ladies! I need some opinions on a horrible situation I'm dealing with right now.
I have been working for a company for about 3 months, but was laid off 3 weeks ago today. No problem, it was not devastating and I didn't cause a big stink. I sent in my time sheet the next day and was told my final check would be on its way - great. Three weeks later, here I am with no final paycheck. I contacted my ex boss via email and inquired about my check, no answer. Until this afternoon... I received an email back where my boss is basically questioning all of my hours worked? He understated my work load/ turned in projects so much it was insulting. I was fuming! He knows very well what I've done and I have the proof. I keep track of my own time as they don't have a way to, so I am responsible for my own time sheet. I am SO upset and insulted, he wrote a four paragraph email devaluing my work and pretty much calling it unsatisfactory. Why wasn't this an issue while I was working for them? I never heard one thing about it.
Here is the tricky part - I don't have an employment contract. In fact, I don't know what I'm considered. An at-will employee? Independent contractor? The only working relationship established was through email, which I still have. All I received what was to be my hourly pay. During my time working, I did not receive one paycheck. Apparently I was to be paid at the end of my contract, which I never knew about because I didn't get it.
What are my options here? I have already been researching an employment attorney and wage claims as it's been three weeks since my last day and I was to receive my last immediately and I figured it hadn't been mailed when it hit the two week mark I have sent all proof of work to my boss and am still waiting a reply. How should I try to settle this with my boss? When would it be smart to consult an attorney to take action or file a wage claim? I'm sick to my stomach that I am pretty much being accused of falsifying my time sheet and the only "proof" they have is that my hours are significantly higher than everyone else's, even people who "did more work" I have a feeling this is all because this company is short on money and is trying to shortchange me as much as possible. Why are they waiting three weeks to ask about this? I simply don't understand.
Any advice is much appreciated!
I have been working for a company for about 3 months, but was laid off 3 weeks ago today. No problem, it was not devastating and I didn't cause a big stink. I sent in my time sheet the next day and was told my final check would be on its way - great. Three weeks later, here I am with no final paycheck. I contacted my ex boss via email and inquired about my check, no answer. Until this afternoon... I received an email back where my boss is basically questioning all of my hours worked? He understated my work load/ turned in projects so much it was insulting. I was fuming! He knows very well what I've done and I have the proof. I keep track of my own time as they don't have a way to, so I am responsible for my own time sheet. I am SO upset and insulted, he wrote a four paragraph email devaluing my work and pretty much calling it unsatisfactory. Why wasn't this an issue while I was working for them? I never heard one thing about it.
Here is the tricky part - I don't have an employment contract. In fact, I don't know what I'm considered. An at-will employee? Independent contractor? The only working relationship established was through email, which I still have. All I received what was to be my hourly pay. During my time working, I did not receive one paycheck. Apparently I was to be paid at the end of my contract, which I never knew about because I didn't get it.
What are my options here? I have already been researching an employment attorney and wage claims as it's been three weeks since my last day and I was to receive my last immediately and I figured it hadn't been mailed when it hit the two week mark I have sent all proof of work to my boss and am still waiting a reply. How should I try to settle this with my boss? When would it be smart to consult an attorney to take action or file a wage claim? I'm sick to my stomach that I am pretty much being accused of falsifying my time sheet and the only "proof" they have is that my hours are significantly higher than everyone else's, even people who "did more work" I have a feeling this is all because this company is short on money and is trying to shortchange me as much as possible. Why are they waiting three weeks to ask about this? I simply don't understand.
Any advice is much appreciated!